Overload release coupling



OVERLOAD RELEASE COUPLING Filed Dec. 6 1949 INVENTOR EDMUND JEDRZYKOWSKI ATT'Y Patented Oct. 14, 1952 OVERLOAD RELEASE COUPLING Edmund J edrzykowski, Chicago, 111.,3assignor -t International Harvester --Company, a corpora:

tion .of New Jersey Application December 6, 1949,Serial.No.I31,40 3

.13 Claims. 1

This invention relates to a coupling :device,.and more particularly to a coupling device of the overload release type adapted to connect :a trailing vehicle or implement to a source of draft power such as a farm tractor.

Overload release couplings of the general "type to which this invention pertains have been used in the past and are still being used in the agricultural field. Couplings of the overload release type are used to connect tractors "andplows .or other farm implements drawn thereby :and "are designed to automatically decouple upon the .occasion of an abnormal force between the coupled machines. It will be appreciated :that the disconnection of the coupled machines must be quickly and readily accomplished when an overloaded condition is reached to preventbre'akage of the parts. It is therefore one of the objects of the present invention to provide anew andimproved coupling device which will proper- "1y connect the farm tractor to the 'farm'implement but will disconnect the machines rapidly when a predetermined load is reached.

A'further object is the provision of an .overiload'relea'se coupling device with means for intentionally decoupling the coupling members.

Another object is the provision of a coupling device of the character described whichis very strong and otherwise durable, readily and economically manufactured and assembled, and easily handled in its use and operation.

A still further object is to provide a coupling device which requires a minimum "amount of physical 'efiort on the part of the farmer to connect afarm'tractor and implement.

The foregoing and other important objects and desirable features inherent'in and encompassed by'the invention together with many 'of the purposes and uses thereof willbecome readily apparent'from'a reading of the ensuing description in conjunction with the annexed drawings in which:

Fig. '1 is a plan-view ofthe new and improved overload-release coupling device.

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view taken .substantiallyalong line 2-2 of Fig. '1.

Fig. 3 is an end view of the coupling device.

Referring to the drawings in detail wherein like reference characters represent like elements throughout the various views, an overload release coupling device is shown. The coupling device 1'0 includes a cylindrical male coupling member l'l adapted'to be lockedor latched to a hollow female coupling member I2 whereby lon'gitudinal 'forcesmay betransmitted fromone '1 member to the other. Themaleccoupling member H has one end .I.3provided'with-.a vertically extending aperture 114 for .a purpose whichrzwlill be explained hereinafter. The other .end' Ii5:.-ha's a plurality of circumferentially :space'd "radially extending apertures l 6 "formed therein. The end 15 is further provided with an -axial ":b01'6i50 which communicates .vzithth'e apertures 16. A :platelike structure I] is welded or otherwise'rigidly secured to the male coupling member 'l'll :adjacent the aperture I14 to supportone of the-connecting portions l8, 19 of a pair of self-sealing disconnectable-valves 20,21 for the supply andreturn lines 22,23 of thehydraulic or power'lift system used on modern tractors "for adjusting the-trail behind implements remotely The male coupling'member II is connected to a farmimplement (not shown) bymeans of-plate '11, 1.00!!- necting portions 18 and i9, and hydraulic lines 22'and'23. I I

The female coupling member 12 inthe'presen't invention takes the form of a hollow cylinder which is designed to -'slidingly receive 'a major portion of the male coupling member H when the coupling device I ll is in its assembled croon- -nected state. Theinternal suriacej24of one-end 25 of the female member 12 isflared or tapered outwardly to'facilitate theinsertion of the male member II when the members are to be" con'- nectedtoge'ther. The other end '26 is provide'd with :an outwardly projectingradial fla'ngefi whichmay be formed as an integralpart-of the female member 12 or :as a'circular'ringinember 28 held from longitudinal .movementin one direction by a snap ring 29 or other "means.

Longitudinally spaced'fromthe end 26 is a substantially channel-shaped interna1 annular-recess or groove 30. The recess 30 hasa bottomwal lel and a .pair of slighly tapered side walls '32, {33, the purpose .of which will be explained "hereinafter. Longitudinally inwardly spaced from the .end 25 .is a plate-like structure 34 similarto structure I] .for supporting the complementary swung to the left as viewed in Fig. 2 in order to facilitate the coupling of the coupling device I and the valves 20, 2I.

Slidably carried in each aperture I5 is a plunger 31 having a head portion 38 adapted to project outwardly from the male member I I and fit snugly in the recess 38 when the coupling members "are connected together. A helical spring 39 transversely disposed within the male member I I abuts the underside 48 of each plunger 31 to continuously urge them radially and outwardly. It will be noted that the head portion 38 is beveled to provide a surface M which abuts the tapered side walls 32, 33 when the coupling members I I, I2 are in the connected relationship. The walls 32, 33 are tapered so that they act as a camming means whenever relative longitudinal movement occurs between the coupling members II, I2 to depress the plunger 31 into the male member II free of the recess 38 against the force exerted by spring 39.

Inasmuch as it is desirable to have the coupling members II, I2 become disengaged only when a predetermined longitudinal force is applied to the members tending to separate them or when intentionally released, the present invention contemplates the utilization of structure which positively controls the depression or retraction of the plungers 3'! caused by the relative movement of the coupling members until the predetermined force or load is reached. The latch controlling means includes a member 42 adapted to slide relatively to the female coupling member I2. The relatively slidable member 42 has a connecting aperture 43 for connection to a farm tractor or other draft means (not shown) and a hollow cylindrical portion 44 adapted to embrace or enclose a portion of the female coupling member I2. Projecting radially inwardly at the open end of the portion 44 is a flange 45, the interior annular surface of which is designed for sliding engagement with the exterior surface of the female coupling member I'2. The inwardly facing surface 46 is utilized as an abutting surface for one end of a relatively strong helical spring 41 interposed between the relatively slidable member 42 and the female coupling member I2. The opposite end of the spring 41 bears on the flange 21. It will be apparent that the spring 41 continuously urges the relatively slidable member 42 to the right as viewed in Fig. 2 and continuously resists longitudinal relative movement between the relatively slidable member 42 and the female coupling member I2 with a force directly proportional to the desired overload force. That is, the strength of the spring 41 is determined by the overload force it is desired to have the coupling members II, I2 separate.

Slidably carried by member 42 is a plunger stop means which includes a longitudinally disposed pin 48 having one end 49 adapted to extend into the axial bore 50 and abut a portion 55 of each plunger 3'! when they are in their latched position. A relatively light spring 5| abuts the other end 52 of the pin 48 to continuously urge the pin to the right as viewed in Fig. 2 or into abutting relationship with the plungers 31. The pin 48 is provided with a transversely extending aperture 53 adjacent the end 52. Positioned within a transversely extending aperture 54 formed in the relatively slidable member 42 is an actuating member 55. The actuating member 55 has a portion 56 projecting from the slidable member 42 which is conven- -iently engageable with the hand of the farmer or other person using the overload release coupling. A portion 57 of smaller diameter than portion 58 extends through the aperture 53. It will be noted that the diameter of portion 56 is considerably less than the diameter of the aperture 53 and thus the spring 5I normally urges interior surface 58 of the aperture 53 against only a part 59 of the portion 51. A conical camming portion 68 rigidly joins the portions 58 and 5'! and a spring 6| resiliently urges the actuating member 55 outwardly. It will be apparent from the foregoing description that pin 48 may be moved out of abutting engagement with the plungers 31 independently of any longitudinal relative movement of the relatively slidable member 42 with respect to the female member I2. The actuating member 55 may be depressed causing the conical portion 58 to cam the pin 48 to the left, as viewed in Fig. 2, against the resilient action of spring 5I. Following the removal of the pin 48 from its abutting relationship with the plungers 31, a slight pull between the male and female members II and I2 will cause the plungers 31 to be retracted into the male member II and the separation of the coupling members.

In operation, the male member II is connected to a farm implement or other device to be pulled and the relatively slidable member 42 together with the female member I2 which is resiliently connected to it is attached to the farm tractor or other draft means. The male member II is positioned within the female member and moved longitudinally until the plungers 31 in their retracted position abut the pin 48. The pin 48 is then moved a slight longitudinal distance to the left, as viewed in Fig. 2, to allow the plungers 3'! to extend into the recess or groove 30. Inasmuch as the spring 5I is relatively weak as compared to the spring 41 only a small amount of the assembly force is needed to position the male member II within the female member I2 in their coupled relationship. When the plungers 31 have assumed their extended or latched position the spring 5I forces the pin 28 toward the plungers 31 whereby the end 49 abuts portions 50 of the plungers 31 to latch or look the coupling members II, I'2 together.

The coupling device is disassembled or decoupled intentionally as described above or auto matically when subjected to a force tending to separate the male and female members II, I2 having a magnitude which exceeds the load it is desired to have transmitted between the members. It will be apparent that when the overload force is reached the relatively slidable member 42 will move relatively to the female member I2 compressing the spring 41. Since relative movement of the relatively slidable member 42 of necessity entails movement of the actuating member 55, it will be appreciated that the pin 48 also moves longitudinally away from the plungers 31 to allow retraction of the plungers and subsequently a separation of the male and female coupling members II, I2.

It will be noted that the stresses resulting from the pressures within the hydraulic couplings 28, 2I are not transmitted to the spring 41 which is preloaded when the relatively slidable member 42 is assembled on the female member I2.

The embodiment of the invention chosen for the purposes of illustration and description herein is that preferred as a result of selective tests based upon the objects of the invention and developing the utility thereof in the most desirable manner,-due regard being bad to existing meters of economy, simplicity of design, and the :im-

-provements sought :to be effected. It will be appreciated therefore that th particular structural and functional aspects emphasized herein are not' i ntended to exclude, but rather to :sugges't such other adaptations and modifications of the :invention .as fall within the spirit and scope f the invention as defined in the :appended @claims.

'Whatiisclaimed is:

An overload release coupling device \comprising :a male member detachably connected to :a female member, said .male. member having an insertableportion adaptedtobeembraced by said 1 female member; latch means carried by said inner-table portion, said latch means including a plurality of radially projecting spring-pressed PPh-HIEEI'S adapted to protrude from said insertable portion to a latched position and to be retracted within said insertable portion to an unlaitched position; a latch shouldercarried by said female member :and 'engageable -by said latch means whensaid male and female members are assembled in longitudinal alignment and said ber having a hollow portion adapted to embrace said female member and plunger stop means adapted to abut a portion of each of said plungers 'when said latch controlling means is in said first position, said plunger stop means including a spring-pressed longitudinally disposed pin adapted to project into said m-alemember; 'yieldable means for "urging said latch controlling means to said "first position, said yieldable means being overcome upon a direct longitudinal pull of a predetermined amount; and means 'formovin said plunger stop "means to said second position independently of any relative movement of said relatively s-lidable member.

2. An overload release coupling device comprising a male member 'detachably connected to a female member, said 'male'member having an insertableportion adapted to be embraced by said female member; -latch means carriedby said insertable portion, said latch means including a plurality of radially projecting spring-pressed plungers adapted to protrude from said insertable portion to a latched position and to be retracted within said insertable portion to .an unla't'ched position; a latch shoulder carried by said female member and vengageable by said latch means *when said male and female members are -assembled in longitudinal alignment and said latch means is in said latched position, said latch shoulder being a wall of a substantially channel- 'shaped internal annular recess; latch controlling means *cooperable with said male and female members movable longitudinally relatively to said male and female members from a first .posi- 'tion "wherein said latch means is prevented from moving to said 'unlatched position to a second position wherein said latch means is allowed to assume said unlatched position, said latch controlling means including a relativelyslidable member having ahollow portion adapted tr) ten-1+ .brace' said female member and plunger stop means adapted to abut-a portion o-f each-of :said plungers when said latch controlling means .is in said first position, said plunger stop means including a, longitudinally disposed pin :a-dapt'edto project into said male --member; and yieldable means for urging said latch controllingrmeans to said first position, said yieldable means being overcome upon a direct longitudinal pull ot'apredetermined amount. I

'3. An overload release coupling device comprising a male member detachably connected to a female member, said male member having "an insertable portion adapted to be embraced'bysaid fem-ale member; latch'means carried by saidii-nsertable portion, said latch means including :a plurality of radially projecting spring-pressed plungers adapted to extend from said insertable portion to a latched position and to'be retracted within said insertable portion to an unlatched position; a latch shoulder carried by said female member and engageable 'by said latch means when :said male and female members are assembled in longitudinal alignment and said latch means is in said latched position, said latch shoulder being a wall of a substantially channelshaped internal annular recess; latch controlling means cooperable with said male and female members movableilongitudinally relatively to said male and female members from a first position wherein 'sai'd'latch meansis prevented from moving tosaidun'latched position'to-a second position wherein said latch means is allowed to assume said nnlatohed position, said latch controlling means includinga member having a hollow-cylindrical portion adapted to embrace said female member, andyplunger stopmeans adapted to abut a portion of each of said plungers'when saidlat'ch controlling means is in said first position; and yield-able means for urging said latch controlling means to said .first position, said :yieldable -means beingovercome upon a direct longitudinalpu'll of a predetermined amount.

4. .An :overload release coupling device comprising a male member detachably connected to a female member, said male member having an .insertable portion-adapted to be embraced bycsaid .fex-na'le member; latch means carried by said insertable ,portion, said latch means including a plurality of radially projecting spring-pressed plungers; a latch shoulder integrally formed "on said female member and engageable by said latch means when said male and femalemembers are assembled "in longitudinal alignment, said latch shoulder being :one wall of a substantially channel-shaped internal annular recess formed 'insa'id female member; latch controlling means coopertable with said male and female members .:for :allowing disengagement-of said latch means from said latch shoulder and separation of said :male and iemalemembers, said latchcontrolling means including .a member having ahollow cylindrical portion adapted to embrace said female member and move relatively in a longitudinal direction w ithrespect to said male and female members to permit disengagement; and yieldable means restraining said latch controlling means from mov 'ing longitudinally with respect to said male and female members, said yieldable means beingovercome upon .a direct longitudinal pull of a predetermined amount to permit disengagement 10f said'latch means from saidlatchshoulder whereby said male and female members may be separated.

"5. An overload release coupling device coma female member, said male member having an insertable portion adapted to be embraced by said female member; latch means carried by said insertable portion, said latch means including a plurality of radially projecting spring-pressed plungers; a latch shoulder integrally formed on said female member and engageable by said latch means when said male and female members are assembled in longitudinal alignment, said latch shoulder being one wall of a substantially channel-shaped internal annular recess formed in said female member; sleeve-like latch controlling means cooperable with said male and female members for allowing disengagement of said latch means from said latch shoulder and separation of said male and female members, said latch controlling means being disposed about said male and female members and being relatively movable in a longitudinal direction with respect to said male and female members to permit disengagement; and yieldable means restraining said latch controlling means from moving longitudinally with respect to said male and female members. said yieldable means being overcome upon a direct longitudinal pull of a predetermined amount to permit disengagement of said latch means from said latch shoulder whereby said male and female members may be separated.

6. An overload release coupling device comprising a male member detachably connected to a female member, said male member having an insertable portion adapted to be embraced by said female member; latch means carried by said insertable portion, a latch shoulder integrally formed on said female member and engageable by said latch means when said male and female members are assembled in longitudinal alignment; said latch shoulder being a wall of a substantially channel-shaped internal annular recess formed in said female member; sleeve-like latch controlling means cooperable with said male and female members for allowing disengagement of said latch means from said latch shoulder and separation of said male and female members, said latch controlling means being disposed about said male and female members and being relatively movable in a longitudinal direction with respect to said male and female members to permit disengagement; and yieldable means restraining said latch controlling means from moving longitudinally with respect to said male and female members, said yieldable means being overcome upon a direct longitudinal pull of a predetermined amount to permit disengagement of said latch means from said latch shoulder whereby said male and female members may be separated.

7. A coupling comprising separable male and female members; latch means carried by said male member; a latch shoulder integrally formed on said female member and engageable by said latch means when said male and female members are assembled in longitudinal alignment; sleevelike latch controlling means cooperable with said male and female members for allowing disengagement of said latch means from said latch shoulder and separation of said male and female members, said latch controlling means being relatively movable in a longitudinal direction with respect to said male and female members to permit disengagement; and yieldable means restraining said latch controlling means from moving longitudinally with respect to said male and female members, said yieldable means being overcome upon a direct longitudinal pull of apredetermined .8 amount to permit disengagement of said latch means from said latch shoulder whereby said male and female members may be separated; and independent releasing means for permitting disengagement of said male and female members Without overcoming said yieldable means.

8. A coupling comprising separable male and female members; latch means carried by one of said members; a latch shoulder integrally formed on the other of said members and engageable by said latch means when said male and female members are assembled in longitudinal alignment; sleeve-like latch controlling means associated with said male and female members for allowing disengagement of said latch means from said latch shoulder, said latch controlling means being relatively movable in a longitudinal direction with respect to said male and female members to permit disengagement; and yieldable means restraining said latch controlling means from moving longitudinally with respect to said male and female members, said yieldable means being overcome upon a direct longitudinal pull of a predetermined amount to permit disengagement of said latch means from said latch shoulder whereby said male and female members may be separated and means independent of relative movement of said latch controlling means with respect to said male and female members for permitting disengagement of said members.

9. A coupling comprising separable male and female members; latch means carried by one of said members; a latch shoulder integrally formed on the other of said members and engageable by said latch means when said male and female members are assembled in longitudinal alignment; latch controlling means associated with said male and female members for allowing disengagement of said latch means from said latch shoulder, said latch controlling means being adapted to embrace said female member and being relatively movable with respect to said male and female members to permit disengagement; and yieldable means restraining said latch controlling means from moving relatively with respect to said male and female members, said yieldable means being overcome upon a direct longitudinal pull of a predetermined amount on said male and female members tending to separate them.

10. The coupling as set forth in claim 9 in which means are provided for permitting disengagement of said male and female members independently of any pull tending to separate said male and female members.

11. The overload release coupling device as set forth in claim 3 in which independent actuating means are provided to move said plunger stop means to said second position.

12. The overload release coupling device as set forth in claim 2 in which independent actuating means are provided to move said pin to said first position, said means including a vertically disposed actuating member slidably carried by said slidable member adapted to extend through an aperture in said pin, said actuating member having a camming portion engageable with said pin for moving said pin longitudinally upon vertical depression of said actuating member.

13. An overload release coupling device comprising a male element detachably connected to a female element, said male element having a portion insertable in said female element; latch means carried by said male element for latching said female element to said male element, said means including a plurality of radially projecting spring-pressed plungers adapted to extend into an internal annular recess formed in said female element; slidable stop means adapted to project into said male element and normally prevent retraction of said plungers, said stop means comprising a member having one end adapted to abut a portion of each of said plungers; means to allow retraction of said plungers including a relatively slidable member having a sleeve portion embracing said female element, said slidable member being operatively connected to said stop means whereby longitudinal movement of said relatively slidable member with respect to said female member in one direction allows retraction of said plungers; spring means opposing relative movement of said relatively slidable member with REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,384,001 Splittstoesser July 5, 1921 1,677,009 Wiltsie July 10, 1928 1,850,310 Ainslie -i Mar. 22, 1932 2,102,722 Kortering Dec. 21, 1937 2,444,919 Cotton et al July 13, 1948 

